O´Neill – Barry could still leave

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill believes Gareth Barry could still leave the Premier League club despite Liverpool's refusal to meet the midfielder's valuation.

Liverpool's bid to land Barry appeared to stall when the club's chief executive Rick Parry claimed the England international's 18 million pounds (22.7 million euros) price tag was unrealistic.

Then Barry's appearance for Villa in the UEFA Cup, which made him ineligible for the Champions League group phase, prompted suggestions Liverpool would pull out.

But the Reds have until the transfer window closes on September 1 to sign Barry and manager Rafa Benitez remains keen to conclude a deal.

O'Neill is well aware that there could be another twist in the tale.

“At this minute it's not completely resolved. We want him to stay, I think that's obvious,” O'Neill told the Birmingham Mail.

“I think the fans want him to stay and for the length of time it has gone on it is hard to pre-empt anything.”